A Markle minute.
Fans paid upward of $3,199 to see Meghan Markle at a weekend retreat in Sydney on Friday, but the Duchess of Sussex only attended the pricey event for a mere two hours.
The 44-year-old “With Love, Meghan” star and Prince Harry, 41, showed up to the InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach resort at 5 p.m. local time just to drive away 120 minutes later in a luxury Range Rover.
Markle was reportedly paid $150,000 for her special guest appearance, per Daily Mail, while attendees dished out big bucks for the chance to ask her questions and pose for pics.
While the duchess joined “Her Best Life” podcast co-host Gemma O’Neill — who organized the annual retreat with co-host Jackie Henderson — onstage for a Q&A session, she complained about her “very hard” public life during the in-person conversation.
Markle also gushed about the “amazing moments” she’s experienced since meeting Harry in 2016, like getting married and welcoming two kids, but emphasized the attacks she’s had to “endure” ever since.
Critics of the Sussexes have since rushed to social media to share their thoughts about Markle’s brief two-hour stay at the retreat dubbed “Megstock” because of the duchess’ expected participation.
“Why did Meghan Markle not even share a meal with women who had paid $3000 to spend ‘retreat’ time with her? How is that kind?” one person tweeted.
“She didn’t go down there to spend time with any of those people, just to get a few PR photos and collect her share of the takings,” claimed another.
“How ridiculous, they advertised like she was spending the whole weekend with them,” commented a third, while another shared, “2 hours? I thought it was a weekend retreat? WOW!”
However, a rep for Markle clarified that the former actress was never scheduled to attend the entirety of the retreat.
“Meghan was always confirmed only to attend the retreat for her Q&A portion of the weekend,” Markle’s rep told Page Six in a statement. “She had a lovely time sitting down and talking to Gemma in front of such an engaging audience.”
The official Her Best Life website referred to Markle as a “special guest” in a promo for the retreat and only advertised a Q&A.
“Join us for an intimate luxury weekend by the ocean designed to bring women together for powerful conversations, relaxation, laughter and unforgettable experiences,” it read. “The highlight of the weekend will be an in-person conversation with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.”
Her Best Life also offered two different ticket options: $2,699 per person and $3,199 per person.
While the first offered attendees a twin share hotel room and all weekend inclusions, the second option included a group table photo with Markle, an exclusive VIP goodie bag, a premium hotel room and all weekend inclusions.
A rep for Her Best Life did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
Friday marked the final day of Harry and Markle’s whirlwind faux-royal tour of Australia that began Tuesday.
Before the retreat, the couple visited Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital and gathered with veterans at the Australian National Veterans’ Art Museum. Markle also made time to make a special guest appearance on “MasterChef Australia.”
Harry, meanwhile, opened up about his journey and struggles with becoming a father during a Movember charity event in Melbourne on Wednesday. The pair also visited volunteer first responders from the Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club in Sydney on Friday.
Read the full article here
